Photo Journal: Two Roads Brewery’s Paws & Pints in Stratford, Dogs, Drinks, and Candid Moments

photo of a woman embracing her dog at stratford, two roads brewery event "paws and pints"

If you were at Paws & Pints at Two Roads Brewery in Stratford, there’s a good chance you’ll spot yourself in this gallery. I spent the day capturing candid moments, dogs being their chaotic adorable selves, and a community just enjoying a really good time together.

I pulled up to this Stratford community event with my camera in one hand, probably a drink in the other (balance), and spent the day doing what I do best, capturing real, candid moments of people just living.

I had plans with good friends from NY, and since they came up to visit, I couldn’t just have them sit in my house all bored. Especially with 4 kids. And there’s nothing that kids like more than puppies.

There were dogs everywhere. Big ones, tiny ones, people were hanging out, laughing, meeting new faces, loving on their pups, and just enjoying a genuinely fun Stratford event at the brewery.

This is exactly the kind of energy I live for.

No stiff posing. No awkward “what do I do with my hands” moments. Just real connection, real laughter, and those little in-between moments that actually matter. The kind you don’t even realize are happening until you see them frozen in time.

That’s what I look for when I show up to these community events.

If you’ve seen my posts from the Stratford Main Street Festival or The Latin Festival last year, you already know the deal, I love showing up, blending in, and documenting the vibe as it naturally unfolds. Stratford has such a strong sense of community, and events like this are proof of it. So anytime I see a cool event pop up, I make it my mission to show up. Especially if I can bring my littles with me.

👉 So if you were there, I uploaded a full gallery from the event, and you can go through, find yourself (or your dog, let’s be honest), and download your favorite images.

Yes, free.

If you do find a photo you love and decide to share it on social, I would LOVE it if you tagged me so I can see and hype you up 🧡🩷 @millistephaniaphoto.
It genuinely makes my day seeing these moments live on outside of my camera.

And if you didn’t make it this time, don’t worry, I’ll definitely be popping up at more Stratford events, ready to capture the next round of candid, fun, slightly chaotic, memory-filled moments.

Alright, go find your photos 👀. Click on the image below for access.

flyer for stratford, ct , two roads brewery event on may 31, 2026 "paws and Pints. access to gallery

Looking for a photographer for your next community event, brewery gathering, festival, fundraiser, or family-friendly celebration in Connecticut? I photograph events throughout Stratford, Fairfield County, and New Haven County with a candid, documentary approach.

Photo Journal: A Candid Day at the Stratford Main Street Festival

stratford main street festival, block party where vendors come together to build community and network with patreons and locals. Photograph of a dad waiting in line for a food truck with his daughter on his shoulders.

What do you get when you close down an entire street, sprinkle in talented artisans, mouthwatering food, and a dash of small-town charm? The Stratford Main Street Festival—a photographer’s dream and my perfect excuse to sneak out of “mom mode” and dive back into street photography.

Life with kids is a constant juggle of diapers, snacks, and sheer chaos, so lugging my camera around for fun isn’t always in the cards. But this time, I made no excuses. The hubs took over diaper duty while I captured the vibrancy of Stratford’s annual “block party.” The energy of Main Street was magnetic—laughter, live music, and the aroma of food trucks lined the air as families and friends celebrated together.

One of the things I love about candid photography is the rawness of the moments I get to freeze. Whether it’s kids with popsicle-sticky faces, vendors passionately talking about their craft, or friends reuniting with hugs, these unscripted moments are pure magic.


After the festival, I shared a gallery with the town’s Facebook group, and the response? Heartwarming. A Greek restaurant vendor, Rita’s Pitas, thanked me for a photo of them hard at work, something they hadn’t had time to do themselves. The joy of giving people a tangible memory to cherish? That’s why I do what I do.

stratford main street festival, block party where vendors come together to build community and network with patreons and locals. Photo of magician laughing while entertain a teen and dad in the festival

Being behind the lens doesn’t just let me capture stories—it helps me connect with people. During the festival, I met so many passionate small business owners, like Nikkya, at Obodo Serendipity Bookstore in Paradise Green. She’s doing incredible things for the neighborhood, from hosting book readings to planning community events like their recent Mother’s Day celebration. It reminded me why I love being a photographer and a community cheerleader.

As a Connecticut and New York-based photographer, capturing life’s special moments is my bread and butter. But events like these—filled with the essence of togetherness—are a beautiful reminder that photography isn’t just about images. It’s about memories, connection, and celebrating the magic of right now.